Recent posts: Belfast Underground

Written, directed and co-produced by Alexander Dunn, and narrated by Zane Lowe, the film’s titular instrument has had a seismic influence on modern music. Straddling genres from drum ‘n’ bass to soul, pop to techno, the Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer has proven to be one of the most versatile, and indeed, revered instruments of our time.

This meticulously researched, attentively crafted and fascinating movie uses interviews from a host of stars, including The Beastie Boys, Arthur Baker, Armand Van Helden, Fatboy Slim, Pharrell Williams, Richie Hawtin and more, to tell the story of the little black box from Japan which produced a sound that bookended the 80s – from Afrika Bambaata’s “Planet Rock” in 1980, to Phil Collins’ “Another Day in Paradise” in 1989 – and continues to dominate the airwaves and clubs today.

Dublin rock gods U2 have had a $5 million lawsuit filed against them regarding their perceived plagiarism of an obscure instrumental piece that allegedly found its way onto their 1991 blockbuster, Achtung Baby.